News

2009 Thomas M. Kane Irishman of the Year   Congratulations to Thomas F. Kane of West Springfield.  Tom was selected as this year's Irishman of the Year.  As well as being a Charter member of the Club, Tom has been a very active member too.  He is often seen donating his time behind the grill at various Club functions and he has lent a hand in many Club projects over the years.   Tom recently retired as Chief of the Westfield Fire Department after serving the city for 32 years.  He joins his father, who the award is named for, and brother John as recipients of this award.  Keep up the good work, Tom!
Family Suppers

  On the second Friday of each month, a delicious supper will be served in the Colleen Hall from       6 - 8 pm.  Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $8 for adults/$4 children under 12.  No tickets will be sold at the door.  Bill Buzzee will gladly accept any volunteer help to assist in these events and sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board.  There is also music in the downstairs lounge during each supper.

January 9th - Pasta Dinner             February 13 - Ham Dinner               March 13th - Fish and Chips

Irish Night  Come meet the Colleen and her Court.  Irish Night will held on Saturday February 28th in the Colleen Hall.  Dinner will be served at 7 pm and a donation of $13 is requested.  Music by Leo Doherty and friends.
Election Results           2009 Club Officers

President - Dermot Hurley             Vice President - Jim Boland  

Treasurer - Jack O'Brien         Recording Secretary - Bridget Kane

Membership Secretary - Dennis Moran     Sergeant at Arms - Kevin Fitzgerald

Board of Directors

John Kane     Joe Conroy     Kathy Medeiros     Peter Miller

Paul Miller        Gil Barrett 

2009 Colleen Ball   The 2009 Colleen Ball will be held at Chez Josef on February 6th, 2009.  Tickets are available at the Club and Erin's Own Irish Imports.  Applications are also available at the Club.
Colleen Golf Scramble   The 2009 Colleen Golf Scramble will be held at Southwick Country Club on Saturday May 16th.  More info to follow.
St. Patrick's Day/ Parade   Join us on Tuesday, March 17th for our St. Patrick's Day Celebration featuring music by Jimmy McArdle and Billy Buzzee's famous corned beef sandwiches.  This year's parade will be held on Sunday, March 22nd.  As usual, all members are invited to march with the Club.  The dress code will be black pants and shoes with the new Club jacket. Buses will depart the Club at 10:00 am and return immediately after the parade.  Jimmy McArdle will be performing.
New Members   Please welcome our new members: Keith Bolduc, Nicholas Bull, Alison Cullinan, Matthew Flynn, Julie Ferguson, Paul Martin, Christopher Shea, Michelle Mulvenna, Martin O'Connell, Michael O' Malley, and Kelly Phelon
2008 Scholarship Winners Ed Ferriter Memorial - Erin Ingalls         

Wendy Burke Memorial - Jeffrey Burke

Susan Mulvenna Memorial - Kara Ingalls    

James Michael O'Connor Memorial - Richard Sullivan III          

Pat Hurley Memorial - Kevin Romani    

Miller Family - Charles Michael O'Hearn

SOE Women's Aux - Emily Irzyk   

George Heath Memorial - John O'Hearn

Sean W. O'Brien Memorial - Travis Collins, Kelsey Mathers

Richard Hills Memorial - Meghan Westflund

Donna Liptak Memorial - Brendan McMahon

SOE Scholarships - Courtney Fiske, Timothy Kane 

2008 Colleen and her Court   Congratulations to our 2008 Colleen, Angela Fallon Wojtowicz.  Congratulations also to her Court; Sarah Elizabeth Walachy, Lindsay Kari Zuidema, Mary Frances Simeoli, and Erin Marie O'Malley. 
2008 Parade Marshall   Congratulations to Peter Miller on being named Westfield's 2008 Parade Marshall.  Peter will be leading us through the streets of Holyoke on parade day. Please join us for the parade.  Buses will leave the Club at 10 AM and the dress code will be the new SOE jacket, black pants and black shoes.
2008  Dorothy Griffin Irishwoman of the Year   Congratulations to Eileen Fitzgerald on being named the 2008 Dorothy Griffin Irishwoman of the Year.  
Cook book for Sale

  The Sons of Erin Cape Cod has put togeter a nice* cook book.  If you would like to purchase a copy, contact Tim Shea through the Club at 413-562-5927.  Books cost $20.00 each.   

*The book contains 188 pages and features photos of Ireland by Carol Shea. 

Women's Auxiliary Meetings   The Auxiliary Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM.
Did You Know?

  40% of all U.S. Presidents had Irish ancestry. (As of 2006)

  Maewyn Succat is St. Patrick's real birth name. 

  St. Patrick was not Irish.  His father was Italian and his mother was a Scot.  St. Patrick was actually born in Scotland.

  Irish Coffee was actually invented in San Francisco, not Ireland.

  Ireland has several nicknames.  The most common is The Emerald Isle, but it is also known as The Old Sod, Four Green Fields and The Bower.

  Leprechauns are supposedly little Irish shoemakers.  They have a reputation as being very rich, but mean.

  A whisky made from potatoes is known as 'poteen'.

  The first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in 1737 during the American Revolution in Boston.

  The Irish are said to have brought oatmeal to America.

  The 1800's term "Paddy Wagon" got its name because when drunk Irishmen were arrested, they all claimed their name was "Paddy".  (Similar to John Doe today)

Know Your  Gaelic

  Phrase:  Saol fada chugat                  Pronounced:  Sail fod/ah cu/gut

  Meaning:  Long life to you

 

  Phrase:  Ta failte romhat                    Pronounced:  Taw fall cheh row at

  Meaning:  You are welcome  

 

  Phrase:  Conas ata tu?                      Pronounced:  Kuniss ah-taw two?

  Meaning:  How are you?

 

  Phrase:  Ta me go maith                   Pronounced:  Taw may go mawt

  Meaning:  I am well  

  Phrase:  Oiche mhaith                       Pronounced:  E-ha whawt

  Meaning:  Good night

Quote of the Month

 Do not resent growing old, for many are denied the privilege.

                                                                                              Anonymous

General Membership Meetings   The Club's General Membership meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM.  Meetings are usually suspended for the summer months of June, July and August.
Women's Auxilary Meetings   The Women's Aux. meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM
Commemorative Bricks   The Building Committee is selling Commemorative Bricks that will be used to pave a "Memorial Walkway" leading to the 911 Memorial at the Club.  These bricks can be inscribed in the memory of a departed family member, loved one, or with your own name.  The Walkway enhances the beauty of the 911 Memorial dedicated in the memory of Daniel Trant, Tara Creamer and Brian Murphy.  Cost is $50.00 per brick.  Forms are located at the Club.
Scholarship Committee   Sons of Erin Golf hats are on sale now for $15.00.  They are available behind the bar.
Commemorative Veteran's Coins   The Club has created a Commemorative Veteran Coin to be issued to the Club's  Irish-American veterans.  You are also eligible to receive one on behalf of a deceased family member that was a veteran.  The coins can be personalized with an engraving at your own expense.  Please contact Dermot Hurley to receive your coin.
2009 Dues   General Membership - $40.00, Seniors - $15.00.   Women's Aux - $25.00, Seniors $12.50.  There is a $10.00 late fee for payment after February 1st.  An initial one-time fee of $100.00 for new members will be assessed.  This fee is waived for new members between the ages of 21-25.
Web Site Contributions   Any news or photos you would like to contribute to the Club's site can be emailed to Dermot Hurley under the Contacts section of this site, or dropped off at the Club.